Transmission filter

[01KY4R]

To begin.. yes I have searched but have not found an answer.

I bought my 2001 last November and I am trying to learn the maintenance schedule on these 4runners (103k on the truck). Is it necessary to replace the transmission filter every X amount of miles? I know the tranny fluid has been flushed before, but I'm going to assume the filter is still stock since I have not heard otherwise. Should I get another flush and fill or drop the pan and replace the filter?

 

[quicksilvr]

I do not think that Toyota specifies a mileage interval for the transmission filter.

If you are having a complete and proper flush done, the only way is to use a T-Tech machine or similiar. They use the vehicles transmission to pump the fluid, and it is an even exchange of old fluid for new. However, if I understand correctly, the fluid is flowing in the normal direction during this process...so the filter is not really getting cleaned. You're simply getting new clean fluid.

That said, a clean transmission filter is always a good idea. I personally would drop the trans pan, replace the stock filter, add and aftermarket cooler (search strawberry milkshake) and also add an external inline filter. The factory filter doesn't do much to catch the fine particulate...it's more of a screen filter for the big chunks. Plus if you drop the pan, you can clean the magnets and inspect everything. Good luck!

 

[flyingyogi]

I do not think that Toyota specifies a mileage interval for the transmission filter.

If you are having a complete and proper flush done, the only way is to use a T-Tech machine or similiar. They use the vehicles transmission to pump the fluid, and it is an even exchange of old fluid for new. However, if I understand correctly, the fluid is flowing in the normal direction during this process...so the filter is not really getting cleaned. You're simply getting new clean fluid.

That said, a clean transmission filter is always a good idea. I personally would drop the trans pan, replace the stock filter, add and aftermarket cooler (search strawberry milkshake) and also add an external inline filter. The factory filter doesn't do much to catch the fine particulate...it's more of a screen filter for the big chunks. Plus if you drop the pan, you can clean the magnets and inspect everything. Good luck!

What he said.
The pan is glued on and takes some work to get of. I used a rubber gasket instead of the more or less permanent sealer. With the gasket and the inline filter future maintenance will be much easier.

 

[01KY4R]

Thank you for your responses. The guy before me already installed the tranny cooler so I shouldn't have to worry about the strawberry milkshake. I really want to change the filter just for the peace of mind. Thank you again.

 

[brian2sun]

No machine necessary. Drop the pan, change the filter, put the pan back on and fill it back up with the 4-6 qts you drained (measure how much you drain out). Then do the DIY flush one quart at a time using the tranny's own pump. You drain a qt., kill the motor and put a qt. back in through the dipstick tube and repeat 10-15 times until the ATF runs out clean. That is the cheapest and most effective way to flush the tranny. All you need to pay for is the fluid, filter, and gasket (I recommend using Permatex "The Right Stuff").

 

[quicksilvr]

What he said.
The pan is glued on and takes some work to get of. I used a rubber gasket instead of the more or less permanent sealer. With the gasket and the inline filter future maintenance will be much easier.

I also used a rubber pan gasket. Works awesome, and much easier for any future pan removal.

Here is a link for the process that Brian just described:

Dropping Pan And Flushing Transmission

 

[brian2sun]

I also used a rubber pan gasket. Works awesome, and much easier for any future pan removal.

Here is a link for the process that Brian just described:

Dropping Pan And Flushing Transmission

There it is! I couldn't find the write-up on my computer at work (I have all that stuff bookmarked on my home computer).

 

[01KY4R]

That is a great write up. Thank you for posting.

 

[Mojo29]

Just replaced my transmission filter when I did my starter. Not too bad to do. Just gets messy. A good tip to remove the old gasket from the pan is to use a wire wheel attached to a drill. That way you won't have to scrape the old gasket off. This will save you alot of time and aggrevation.

 

[trailmix]

These dont have trans filters, all it is is a screen so you can just drop the pan, clean the screen out with some carb spray or brake clean, clean the pan and put it back together. No need to buy a new one cause it wont do you a bit of good.

 

[quicksilvr]

These dont have trans filters, all it is is a screen so you can just drop the pan, clean the screen out with some carb spray or brake clean, clean the pan and put it back together. No need to buy a new one cause it wont do you a bit of good.

It is still technically a filter. Cleaning the "screen" style filter is ambiguous enough (you really can't see the whole filter media to know how clean you got it) that a new one isn't a bad idea. However, simply cleaning the old one does work. If you go to the parts store and get a filter kit with a nice rubber gasket, you're going to get a filter....for me, it was worth it just for the gasket, and I used the filter too.

 

[brian2sun]

These dont have trans filters, all it is is a screen so you can just drop the pan, clean the screen out with some carb spray or brake clean, clean the pan and put it back together. No need to buy a new one cause it wont do you a bit of good.

That is true and I was going to re-use mine. But then I noticed that the cork gaskets on the top of the filter were smashed down a little where it was tightened down before. I was a little worried I may not line it up perfectly while ATF was dripping in my eyes and I didn't want to end up with a small gap where fluid could pass by. I hate dropping the tranny pan so I just sprung for a new $20 filter, mainly for peace of mind so next time I can just drain the pan instead of dropping it and messing with the filter again. I shouldn't have to actually clean or replace the filter again for another 60K I figure.

 

[01KY4R]

Thanks for the help guys. I have a few miles to go before my tranny maintenance is due, but it feels good to know what to do and how to do it.